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Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is the best grappler competing in MMA today. Takedowns, passes, and submissions. I struggle to think of an element of grappling that he isn’t great at.
Sweeps? Maybe. You really can’t say because he’s never on bottom long enough to need them.
Islam was Khabib Nurmagomedov’s primary training partner before Khabib retired. Once he did, Islam was correctly called the next one up. Many went so far as to say he was picking up where Khabib left off, style and everything. But that’s not right. Islam fights almost nothing like the former lightweight king.
Khabib was a blitzing mauler. He ran at people until he could push them into the pool. Then he pushed their head down, pulled on their arms, and slowly drowned them over time.
Islam is a slicker tactician. He uses a variety of trips and throws to finish his takedowns, patiently passes before starting to punch, and has the best top half attacks in MMA today.
Here we’ll explain why Makhachev has been able to dominate almost everyone he’s fought. And we’re starting where the fight does, on the feet.
Takedowns
Islam Makhachev doesn’t really have a classic wrestling shot. He just bends and reaches to grab his opponent’s legs. His length, strength, and timing makes whatever technical critiques you might have irrelevant.
Islam runs a double leg. Moicano sprawls. Islam ends up on his knees. Islam builds back up to his feet and gets a single leg. Moicano cross faces Islam. Islam finishes the takedown by clubbing Moicano and circling him down to the floor. He ends by getting chest to chest in half guard and pinching his legs on Moicano’s.
Islam Makhachev - Renato Moicano
And when he doesn’t just run people over, Islam will often turn and club his opponents to get them off of their feet.
Both men poke single punches out. Islam feints and bends over to pick up Dober’s leg. Dober tries to stuff Islam’s head. Islam stands and circles to get Dober hopping. Then he he clubs Dober and circles him down to get chest to chest half guard again.
Islam Makhachev - Drew Dober
He can even make it work fighting up a weight class.
Islam pokes out a right and feints a second punch to hide his stepping into a single leg. JDM’s is stepping backwards. That means his legs are light. Islam easily lifts the leg from the floor, brings it outside, and clubs JDM to the mat. Then he shifts his hips past JDM’s knee shield. Now JDM is flat.
Islam Makhachev - Jack Della Maddalena
Islam knows his spots. When he takes people down he tries to immediately get to half guard so he can begin pinning and pressuring like we see above. We’ll get to how he uses those positions later.
When Islam is near the fence he runs his opponent into the cage to make up for non-technical mechanics.
Islam paws a jab out and falls on Wade’s leg. Instead of lifting the leg off of the floor He walks on his knees to push Wade back into the fence. Wade tries to counter with a guillotine so Islam continues pulling Wade’s legs out until he gets him to his butt. Islam ends by walking to his left so his head and legs are on opposite sides of Wade’s body.
Islam Makhachev - Chris Wade
These lighting quick takedowns and transitions near the fence likely sealed his most tightly contested decision to date as well.
Volk walks in to strike. Islam intercepts him with a double leg, rotates Volk to the floor, and steps over Volk’s leg. Now the Australian has a choice, he can turn away to turtle or play guard. He chooses the former and crawls to the cage to scrape Islam off of his back. Islam follows and throws his hooks in to get to control.
Islam Makhachev - Alexander Volkanovski
And just because Islam has a size and strength edge over many of his opponents does not mean he doesn’t have tricky techniques hidden up his sleeve.
Makhachev grabs a single and cuts back to switch to the other leg. Poirier pushes Makhachev’s head away so Makhachev steps out and back, lifting Poirier’s leg for the single leg whip. You’ll also hear this called a golf club swing finish.
Islam Makhachev - Dustin Poirier
Islam is probably most well known for how he combines judo and freestyle wrestling. He uses all manner of trips, foot sweeps, and hip throws to launch people after he enters into grappling exchanges. Just look at the very first takedown Islam ever completed in the UFC.
Islam swings wildly to get his hands on Kuntz. He switches his collar tie to an over hook, punches Kuntz, and steps across him to throw Kuntz with a harai goshi. Kuntz turtles and Islam throws his hooks in. Kuntz tries to stand. Islam starts pulling on his wrist to break him down and drive his hips forward.
Islam Makhachev - Leo Kuntz
Islam does his best work against the cage. If he can lock his hands he’ll just lift his opponent and take them for a ride.
Islam has his back on the fence. He lifts a few knees and pummels an under hook in and locks his hands. He uses it to turn off of the fence. Then he drives into Moisés, steps between his legs, and rotates Moisés over his inside hip for the uki goshi.
Islam Makhachev - Thiago Moisés
When he can’t lift, Islam will often step across his opponent’s stance to execute a throw.
Islam is driving his forehead into Garry’s chin while holding a body lock. Garry has a whizzer and he’s using his far hand to smack Islam in the face. Garry lifts his near leg. That means his base is half of what it could be. Islam steps past Garry’s hips for something between a tai otoshi and harai goshi to take Garry down and hop onto his back.
When Islam isn’t able to lock his hands and lift, he’ll attack his opponent’s base with his legs.
Islam is driving into Lentz. He reaches his left leg in to try for an ouchi gari. Islam steps in for another trip before pummeling his left arm in for an under hook. Then Islam uses that under hook to pull Lentz in for an ouchi gari he finishes.
Islam Makhachev - Nik Lentz
Islam hit multiple ouchi garis in this one fight against Lentz. When Lentz tried to take Islam down with his own trips, Islam countered like a true judoka.
Lentz steps over Islam’s leg to try to trip him. The problem is Letnz's hips are too far away. All he has done is take away part of his base. Now Islam only has to kick his left leg backward and pull Lentz forward to finish the uchimata.
Islam Makhachev - Nik Lentz
Islam often strikes in the clinch to bait his opponents to strike back. Then he takes advantage of their movement and compromised base to execute gigantic throws.
Islam and Oliveira are jockeying for position in the clinch. Islam knees Oliveira. Oliveira knees him back. Islam steps past Oliveira’s knee as he brings it back to launch Oliveira with a harai goshi.
Islam Makhachev - Charles Oliveira
And it’s not like opponents are safe in the clinch if they make it off the fence.
Both men have an under hook and an over hook. Makhachev knees Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan knees him back. As Tsarukyan brings his leg back, Makhchev steps in, pulls with his left under hook, and blocks Tsarukyan’s leg for a beautiful sasae. Makhachev lands in mount.
Islam Makhachev - Arman Tsarukyan
Islam’s takedown game gets more interesting when you see how he uses single legs to setup one elongated grappling exchange. He’s not shooting takedowns to shoot, he’s doing it to get a hold of you so he can start running downhill.
Islam catches Green’s body kick and kicks at Green’s standing leg to try to trip him. He chases Green with a variety of punches and collar ties until he gets an over hook. Islam continues punching and kicking at Green’s feet. They briefly separate. Green stands up straight. Islam shoots a double and gets Green down.
Islam Makhachev - Bobby Green
Where he really shines is putting everything together. Shooting to get a hold of someone, climbing to a better position, pushing them to the fence, and then finishing with a trip or throw.
Islam falls forward to grab a single leg. He stands up and tries to trip Dober, pushes on his head, and ends clinched up with him. Islam pulls Dober with his under hook to throw him onto the fence. Now Dober’s stance is flat. Islam drives into Dober to push his shoulders back over his hips before hitting an ouchi gari.
Islam Makhachev - Drew Dober
If Islam can get you to move your feet right, left, or a few inches up in the air you’ll be on your back within moments.
Makhachev follows Poirier’s punch to shoot a takedown. He locks his hands on a single, steps between Poirier’s feet, and trips the free leg with a kouchi gari. This takedown is particularly effective because Poirier’s position on the cage prevents him from stopping Makhachev’s posture.
Islam Makhachev - Dustin Poirier
Now that we have an idea of what Islam does to takedown his opposition, let’s see how he makes the most of the ground.
Passing & Pressure
Islam’s top game is predicated on getting to two places, top half and back mount. From top half he’ll pressure and hunt submissions. When he doesn’t finish the fight there his opponent often turns away, giving the back.
Look at some of Islam’s tightest staging points he uses to force his opponents to carry his weight.
Islam has a high under hook
Islam’s forehead is on the mat
The combination of these two elements pin JDM’s shoulders to the floor
Islam’s knee is wide, meaning he could pike up to begin tripod passing essentially whenever he wants to
When Islam’s opponents make space and hand fight he takes grips you see often in BJJ but hardly ever in MMA to pin opponent’s shoulders.
Islam has JDM’s wrist pinned to the floor
Islam’s head is on the other side of JDM’s spine
Islam has an under hook
Now let’s look at some examples of Islam dynamically maintaining control over his opponents.
Islam knees Lentz from side control before stepping back into half guard. Then he lifts Lentz’s far arm with his right. Lentz bridges and turns in so Islam slides his leg out to mount. Lentz turns away. Islam floats over Lentz and cross faces him. Lentz tries to wrestle up so Islam takes a hook out, holds Lentz’s far ankle, and smacks him with his left hand.
Islam Makhachev - Nik Lentz
Islam has a sambo background, his team often uses attacks that are more common in freestyle wrestling, but he often passes and pins like Brazilian jiu-jitsu player. Islam’s overall grappling game is the definition of Bruce Lee’s quote, “Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own”.
Islam has Dober flattened out in half guard. He steps over to mount. Dober is able to turn and wiggle back to half guard. Now Islam has tighter control of Dober’s head and shoulders. He locks up a tight head and arm so he can uses his right leg to open Dober’s half guard and slide to side control.
Islam Makhachev - Drew Dober
Once Islam got to side he went back to rolling over Dober.
Islam has side control. He steps over to mount. Dober explodes to sit up. Islam floats over him to get to his back briefly. Dober falls back to guard. Islam sits on his thighs and claims a far under hook. Then he slides back to side and Dober is stuck. Again.
Islam Makhachev - Drew Dober
This is what’s so frustrating about fighting an excellent pinner and passer. You work for minutes at a time to claim an inch. Then you make a mistake and you’re stuck back somewhere in the sequences they wanted to begin with.
How many times can you expect to almost escape before you’re exhausted? Then what?
Islam is chest to chest in half guard. He punches Poirier’s gut and grabs the far wrist. Then the locks up a kimura. Poirier sits up and slides under Islam to escape. Islam keeps the grip and follows Poirier to get to back control.
Islam Makhachev - Dustin Poirier
Even when opponents are escaping, Islam knows exactly where to place his weight to stay ahead of the scramble
JDM does a good job fighting Islam’s cross face so he has space to elevate Islam and turtle. Islam gets a rear body lock, posts on his head, and sags his weight back so he can float over JDM. JDM pikes up. Islam drives weight through his hands. JDM crawls to the fence but his hips are up so Islam puts hooks in to take his back.
Islam Makhachev - Jack Della Maddalena
Look at this sublime hand fighting he uses to keep his opponent on the defensive at all times.
JDM turns over like he’s going face down to wiggle his trapped arm out. Islam’s leg ends up between JDM’s legs. Instead of fighting for mount, he slides back to pin JDM in half guard. Then he pinches with his outside knee, drives his cross face in, and hits JDM a few times before locking up head and arm control.
Islam Makhachev - Jack Della Maddalena
When Islam isn’t able to secure traditional jiujitsu passes and pins he’ll wrap his opponent’s legs with turks, grape vines, and other rides that are more common in wrestling.
Islam is pinning Tsarukyan’s right wrist and sitting on his hooks. Tsarukyan gets his frames in elevates Islam with butterfly hooks until he has enough space to sit up, scoot back, and start to stand. Before he can, Islam grabs a body lock and steps over Tsarukyan’s legs. Now Tsarukyan is stuck sitting up on the fence with his legs tied up.
Islam Makhachev - Arman Tsarukyan
It’s not like Islam only passes and hunts for submissions. When he pins an opponent and they shells up, Islam will start teeing off on them.
Islam is back in chest to chest half guard. His left knee is past Green’s hip line so Green’s hips are flat. Green tries to buck and bridge. Islam uses the new space to switch his hips and reach for a kimura. Green turns in to avoid the arm lock. Islam slides his knee out to mount and starts punching. Bobby turns face down. Islam puts his hooks in and keeps punching until the ref stops it.
Islam Makhachev - Bobby Green
Now let’s end with where many of Islam’s fights do.
Submissions
Islam boasts a 67% finishing rate across his entire pro career. 72% of those finishes are submissions. From his first fight in the UFC it was clear Islam has a ridiculous squeeze.
Islam and Kuntz are fighting for hand position. Kuntz rolls over to turtle and shake Islam off of his back. Islam keeps smacking Kuntz in the head. Kuntz puts his hands down to quad pod up and escape. That just frees Islam’s lane to slip a rear naked choke in and end the fight.
Islam Makhachev - Leo Kuntz
Islam can finish the submission even without getting both hooks in.
Islam riding Moisés’s back. Islam threads his right instep behind Moisés’s ankle to disrupt his base with a crab hook. Islam patiently punches and looks to put a hook in until he has the inches to slip his left arm under Moisés’s chin. He drops is weight, squeezes, and Moisés rolls face up, tapping out.
Islam Makhachev - Thiago Moisés
It’s not only rear naked chokes. Islam also has a devastating arm triangle that he sets up in half guard.
Dober is trying to attack a kimura from bottom half meaning his arm has crossed the center line. When Dober stops, all Makhachev has to do is reach with his cross face and put his head on the mat. Makhachev locks his grip, drops his weight, and gets the tap.
Islam Makhachev - Drew Dober
Islam will use the submission to go from half to a more dominant pinning position and then finish the fight.
Oliveira jumps in with a knee. Islam drops him with a straight left. Islam follows Oliveira and throws his legs by to get to half guard. As soon as he gets chest to chest he passes Oliveira’s left arm up for an arm triangle choke. Oliveira opens his guard to bridge and move as Islam drops his weight. Islam settles into side and Oliveira is forced to submit.
Islam Makhachev - Charles Oliveira
Another submission Islam looks for is the kimura from half guard. Above we saw how he uses it to pass. Check out how he finishes fights with it.
Makhachev switched his hips to take power away from Hooker’s under hook and isolate the arm. Makhachev pushes Hooker’s arm down to get the kimura grip. Makhachev back steps off Hooker’s butterfly hook so he has the angle to bring Hooker’s arm behind his back and get the finish.
Islam Makhachev - Dan Hooker
In two of Islam’s recent fights he showed a painful variation of an indirect choke, the short d’arce. This choke is valuable because you can set it up from looser positions than you’d finish a d’arce from. If you can’t finish the short variation, you can incrementally take more and more control of your opponent’s head and neck to finish the submission.
Makhachev crunches onto Poirier with a guillotine. Poirier rolls back and Makhachev follows. Poirier gets to an elbow and digs an under hook so Makhachev counters by grabbing Poirier’s neck for the d’arce. Makhachev hooks Poirier’s leg and sits to his side to finish it.
Islam Makhachev - Dustin Poirier
Islam will take this submission as a counter to opponents wrestling up as well.
Islam in top half. Moicano walks his feet off of the cage and pushes Islam’s cross face away to get his feet inside. He kicks Islam away. Islam jumps on a front head lock, switches to a short d’arce and immediately falls on his side to finish the choke.
Islam Makhachev - Renato Moicano
Why You Need To Study Islam Makhachev
Do I really need to argue why you should study Islam Makhahcev? He’s the best grappler competing today.
If I had to give you specific things to look for it would be how he picks up single legs to get his hips closer and closer to his opponents. From there he’ll throw people with harai goshis, ouchi garis, and a lot more.
Once Islam gets opponents down no one has a better top half than him. No one. And the main reason for that is his top half is straightforward.
Islam wants to get chest to chest to control his opponent’s head and arm. If that means an arm triangle, great. He can finish the submission there or after he’s passed. If he doesn’t get the head and arm together, he’ll switch his hips and attack a kimura on the far side.
If at any point the pressure is too much and Islam’s opponents turn away he’ll gladly take their back. He can finish the rear naked choke with or without the hooks.
Grappling is the sport of physical restraint. Can you restrain someone until time runs out or they quit, through exhaustion or fear of altering submission? When you see grappling as such, you can’t find another person competing today that does it better than Islam Makhachev.
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